Health Canada is investigating the tragic deaths of two donors, including a 22-year-old Nigerian international student, following separate plasma donation sessions at for-profit collection centers in Winnipeg.
Health Canada has launched an investigation into the deaths of two individuals who suffered fatal adverse reactions after donating plasma at private clinics in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The deaths, which occurred on October 25, 2025, and January 30, 2026, took place at facilities operated by Grifols, a Spanish healthcare company that manages several for-profit collection centers across Canada. While the federal regulator has confirmed the reports, officials stated that the assessment is ongoing and “no link has been made between the plasma donation process and the two deaths” at this stage.
One of the victims has been identified as Rodiyat Alabede, a 22-year-old international student from Nigeria who was studying at the University of Winnipeg. Alabede, who moved to Canada in 2022 with dreams of becoming a social worker, reportedly went into distress during her appointment at the Grifols center on Taylor Avenue. Her close friend, Mary Ann Chika, who identified her at the hospital, noted that “Alabede’s heart stopped beating while she was donating plasma at the centre,” leaving the local community in deep shock. Details regarding the second donor’s identity have not been released due to privacy regulations.
The incidents have reignited a national debate over the safety and ethics of for-profit plasma centers, which pay donors for their contributions. Critics and health advocacy groups are calling for a provincial ban on paid donations, citing concerns that financial incentives may encourage vulnerable populations to donate more frequently than is safe. In a statement, Grifols expressed sadness over the losses but maintained they have “no reason to believe” the deaths are connected to the donation process, asserting that all donors undergo rigorous health screenings. As inspections continue, Manitoba’s Health Minister has indicated that banning paid plasma remains an option depending on the final findings of the federal review.
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